Seeing your dog die is nothing a pet parent has ever dreamed of experiencing.
But sometimes, putting them to sleep is the most humane and loving thing you can do to help your dog.
This article will give light on four humane ways to put your dog to sleep at home, painlessly.
Stay tuned to be informed on how to do this and other relevant information on the subject matter.
It is not a day to look forward to seeing your dog suffer and finally decide to put a period in their timeline.
But sometimes, it is the inevitable choice.
To quote the infamous Avengers villain, Thanos, “the most challenging options require the strongest wills.”
And it is brave if you finally decide to put your dogs to sleep and save them from a life of misery and pain.
But why do we even need to euthanize in the first place?
Continue reading to find out.
What Are the Reasons to Put Dogs to Sleep?
There are a variety of reasons behind this act.
It may seem wrong from one angle, but then putting its impacts into perspective and becomes the viable option.
Euthanasia came from the Greek words “Eu,” which means “good,” and “Thanatos,” which means “death.”
That shows the very motivation behind the deed.
You are putting your dog “to sleep” because it is better than staying then awake but suffering.
Below are the reasons to put pet dogs to sleep;
1. Age
Old age does not necessarily imply the need for euthanasia.
But by convention, with old age comes the sickness and health problems dogs and humans alike encounter.
For this reason, when dogs suffer from illnesses in response to their age, they will suffer more in their remaining years than just giving them an out.
Here are some of the illnesses that dogs encounter in old age:
- Hearing and vision loss
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Heart problems
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Arthritis
2. Injury and sickness
These injuries and illnesses that dogs encounter in their lifetimes may not only be a product of old age.
Sometimes, even the relatively young dogs can suffer from sickness, which causes unrelenting pain with no cure.
Instead of letting dogs live having poor quality of life, better to have them euthanized and save them from suffering.
3. Dying (impending death)
Some dogs in their old age spell death in their eyes.
They may have lived a healthy life throughout, but seeing dying dogs suffering from the degenerative or deteriorating physical integrity associated with it is heavy, both to the pet owner and the dog.
With that in mind, euthanasia becomes an excellent option to take so our pet Fido can finally take a good long rest.
If you consider pet euthanasia in the future, then here are some humane ways to do it in the home, where your dog feels most comfortable.
Four Humane Ways to Put Dogs to Sleep
1. Create a quality-of-life checklist
Although this is not a way to put dogs to sleep, it is a great barometer to decide when to do so.
Quality of life checklists gives a comprehensive analysis of how your dog’s life has been faring over weeks or months.
It would depend on what professionals call the compassionate death time frame.
You identify when the bad days begin outnumbering the good ones when dogs can no longer fulfill their daily activities as usual as they could.
Euthanasia by then becomes the appropriate option to take.
Give them the best day of their lives before putting them to sleep.
That they may depart with the happiest memory, there is.
2. Make your dog comfortable
Your dog deserves all the happiness and comfort for all the years they have been with your family.
Euthanasia is not a one-time decision but is accompanied by months of preparation, both the pet and the owner.
By providing the dog with the comfort they need, like their favorite meal, taking them to the park to play for the last time, and going on a long drive, you give them the happiest memory before they depart.
It is the most appropriate and humane preparation before the deed is executed.
3. Seek professional help
Most states do not allow any random person to perform euthanasia without a medical degree or practice to do the matter.
Instead of figuring out things yourself, call your family vet and seek help and counseling to put the dogs down.
Professionals will know which sedatives to use and what medium to administer to put an end to your dog’s misery finally.
Make sure to consult them first and assess if the time is fit for the process.
4. Be there in the final moments
As painful as it is to observe them draw their final breaths.
It would be best to be there during those moments.
Any dog would love to be surrounded by the people he loves and feel comfort from his humans.
So then, as they finally draw their last breath, your faces will be painted in their memories and bring it with them to the grave.
5. Give your dog a proper burial
Whether you decide to have him cremated or buried, make sure that you give Fido the proper ceremony and respect to honor him.
For being a huge part of your family and loving you unconditionally.
Key Takeaway
No one would ever wish for their dogs to die. If you can choose to have them live forever, you would, so you do not see them suffer from their age and finally meet their end.
But to give them a peaceful sleep, sometimes euthanasia is the most appropriate thing to do.
If you are considering this in the future, make sure to consult your vet to know what steps to follow.
